3. The Armed Forces Scientific and Technical Research Institute (CITEFA)
It is the only joint organization dedicated to scientific and technological activities and to research and development to meet National Defense requirements. Its purpose is to maintain our military potential in permanent evolution.
At present, the Institute occupies 16 hectares with facilities covering 23,000 m2. Its main job is to produce studies and developments required by the Armed Forces with the approval of the Ministry of Defense, and to maintain, update and enhance its own capabilities in the field of military technology in order to meet future requirements.
CITEFA not only promotes technology acquisition but also contributes to the exercise of efficient controls over undue technology proliferation by providing advisory services to the committee created by Decree No. 603/82, already described in Chapter 6.
Research and Development fields
The main fields of knowledge in which CITEFA develops its R&D capabilities, within the frame of the international commitments undertaken by Argentina, are classified as follows:
- Conventional weapons
- Electronics, Optical Electronics and Communications
- Solid state physics, lasers and their applications
- Applied chemistry
- New materials technology
- Toxicology, pests and pesticides (only cooperation for the private sector).
Prototypes developed by CITEFA have gone into the production stage and many of them are being used by the Armed Forces.
Some of the main projects successfully completed include different types of surface to surface rockets with their multiple launchers, anti-tank missile systems, various types of guns, artillery and mortar ammunition, night vision systems, laser telemeters, air to surface rockets and missiles, upgrading of foreign weapon systems, simulators and extension of missile life.
4. National Defense in the National Science and Technology Multiannual Plan 1998-2000
This plan has two main objectives. The first one is to continue with the transformation of CITEFA's organization and operations with the aim of increasing applied research efforts in areas of military and dual nature. The second is to keep up the commitment to maintain and update human and technological capabilities in the areas, laboratories and disciplines defined by the Ministry of Defense as being of special interest for the Armed Forces.
The plan contemplates the promotion and enhancement of our integration with Mercosur countries in the area of Defense research and development through joint projects, particularly with Brazil, Chile and Uruguay.
In-depth work will be carried out to define the actions required to increase knowledge and technology transfers to the private industry. New companies and small and medium-sized industries will be created to this end, coupled with training programs executed jointly with more developed countries in order to incorporate know-how and advanced
5. Cooperation in the national sphere
Science and Technology activities for Defense, mainly concentrated in CITEFA, are also related with other institutions, both governmental and private.
In line with the new policies applied in the area, the "Constituyentes Technological Complex" was recently created. The National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA), the National Industrial Technology Institute (INTI), the Argentine Geology Mining Service (SEGEMAR), the National University of San Martín and CITEFA form it. This Complex was based on a Scientific, Academic and Technical Cooperation Agreement signed within the frame of the GACTEC. The agreement coordinates the various common activities, and services such as technology transfer, training, search for financing, contracts and licensing are exchanged between the institutions involved and their social and productive environment.
Other exchanges include joint works with other organizations such as Applied Research (INVAP), the National Antarctic Directorate and the National Mining Technology Institute (INTEMIN).
Various activities are carried out in the joint centers CITEFA/National Scientific and Technical Research Center (CONICET). Such activities are oriented towards dual issues related with National Defense in the military or civilian area and are applicable to industry, health and agriculture and livestock.
These activities are related to the Laser, Optical Electronics, Microelectronics, Sensors, Corrosion, Toxicology and Pests and Pesticides areas.
Similarly, many subjects addressed in several of CITEFA's scientific and technical areas to carry out Defense-related tasks are associated in varying degrees with environmental aspects or provide significant support to the study of this issue and its relationship with private activity.
In the toxicology field, the Pest and Pesticide Research Center (CEIPEIN) carries out chemical, biochemical and biological studies related with pesticides and with their action and toxicity on different insect pest species.
In addition to studying phenomena related to laser instability and developing power lasers, the Center for Laser Research and Uses (CEILAP) develops remote sensing and detection systems to determine parameters and atmospheric contaminants.
The Center for Corrosion Research (CEICOR) carries out atmospheric and microbiological corrosion studies and investigates corrosion inhibitors.
The Solids Research Program (PRINSO) is engaged in studying solid electrolytes for cathodes and semi-conductor materials used for infrared radiation detection that can be applied to the development of sensors for environmental applications.
R&D contributions are also made to other national sectors, such as a hail control space project based on satellite information, the development of irradiating systems for satellite antennas and tests involving metal exposure to the Antarctic environment.
Together with the San Martín National University and with the involvement of its researchers as teachers, CITEFA gives Master courses on "Chemical Emergencies" and "Pests and Pesticides". It has also signed cooperation agreements with other university academic centers.
Cooperation activities are also developed with the National Airspace Commission within the frame of the National Space Plan and in areas related with the Missile Technology Control Regime.
6. Possibilities for international cooperation
The National Science and Technology Multiannual Plan is oriented both towards developed countries and to countries located in our region.
Thus, a frame agreement on technology exchange in areas of mutual interest was signed between the Ministry of Defense of our country and the US Secretary of Defense.
On the other hand, CITEFA has entered into exchange agreements with the Brazilian Ordnance Industries and with the Uruguayan Army, while agreements with other countries, related with other subjects such as the environment, are being negotiated.
Furthermore, within the non-proliferation policy mentioned in Chapter 6, CITEFA's applied chemistry laboratory participates in the series of international inter-laboratory comparison tests (Round Robin Tests) of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
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